Coupled peroxides as crosslinking initiators

ABSTRACT

A new class of compounds: R-W-R&#39;&#39; where R and R&#39;&#39; are identical oxy radicals containing peroxide functions such as dialkyl or diaralkyl peroxide, peroxyketal, peroxyester, or monoperoxycarbonate, and W is a carbonyl group, or carbonyl containing group, or an alkylidene or aralkylidene group, or a phosphorus containing group. Examples: Di(1,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl)carbonate; Di(1,3-dimethyl-3-(n-butoxycarbonylperoxy)butyl)carbonate; 2,2-Bis(3,3-di(t-butylperoxy)butoxy)propane; Di(1,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl)ethyl phosphate. They are free radical affording compounds useful in crosslinking of polyolefins and unsaturated polymers, and for the polymerization of vinyl monomers and diolefinic monomers.

United States Patent [191 DAngelo et al.

' [451 Nov. 4, 1975 Stephen Sheppard, bothof Kenmore, all of NY.

[73] Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation, Philadelphia,

22 Filed: June 25,1974

211 Appl. No.: 482,943

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 342,106, March 16, 1973, Pat. No. 3,846,386, which is a division of Ser. No. 737,359, June 7, 1968, Pat. NO. 3,725,455.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1967 Witman 260/79.5

1/1968 Stivers 3/1972 Stevens et a1. 260/453 R Primary ExaminerMelvin Goldstein Assistant Examiner-E. A. Nielsen Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William D. Mitchell [57] ABSTRACT A new class of compounds: RWR' where R and R are identical oxy radicals containing peroxide functions such as dialkyl or diaralkyl peroxide, peroxyketal, peroxyester, or monoperoxycarbonate, and W is a carbonyl group, or carbonyl containing group, or an alkylidene or aralkylidene group, or a phosphorus containing group.

Examples:

Di[ 1 ,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)buty1]carbonate; Di[ 1 ,3-dimethyl-3-(n-butoxycarbonylperoxy)butyl]- carbonate; 2,2-Bis[ 3 ,3-di(t-butylperoxy)butoxy ]propane; Di[ 1 ,3-dimethyl-3-(t-buty1peroxy)butyl]ethyl phosphate. They are free radical affording compounds useful in crosslinking of polyolefins and unsaturated polymers, and for the polymerization of vinyl monomers and diolefinic monomers.

3 Claims, No Drawings COUPLED PEROXIDES AS CROSSLINKING INITIATORS This is a division of application Ser. No. 342,106, filed Mar. 16, 1973, now Pat. No. 3,846,396, issued November 5, 1974, which in turn is a division of application Ser. No. 737,359, filed June 17, 1968 (now U.S. Pat. No. 3,725,455).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. The Field of the Invention This invention relates to peroxides obtainable by the coupling of hydroxide group containing peroxides. Particularly the invention relates to coupled peroxide containing one or more carbonyl groups or an alkylidene group in the portion of the molecule which forms the linkage between the two peroxy containing portions of the coupled peroxide molecule. Also the invention relates to methods for preparing such coupled peroxides.

2. Description of the Prior Art No prior art is known with respect to the coupled peroxides of the invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,872 discloses dialkyl peroxides containing hydroxy] groups, e.g., 2-me'thyl-2-(t-butylperoxy )-4-pentanol.

A copending application, Ser. No. 569,030, filed Aug. 1, 1966, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,856, discloses peroxyesters containing hydroxyl groups, e.g., t-butylperoxy-3-hydroxypropionate.

Still other precursors, hydroxy substituted peroxyketals are disclosed in a copending application, Ser. No. 727,336 filed May 7, 1968, e.g., 3,3-Bis(t-butylperoxy)-l-butanol.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that high purity polyfunctional peroxides, i.e., at least two peroxy groups, can be prepared by a coupling reaction carried out on a hydroxy group containing peroxide.

The novel polyfunctional peroxides of this invention have the general formula:

where:

1. R and R are identical, and each contains at least one peroxy (-O) group selected from the class consisting of:

where R and R each fall into the same member (i)-(vi) respectively and the R R R R R R", and R required to be present in the particular R is the same as the corresponding radical [i.e., R R R R,, R R and R as the case may be] required to be present in the corresponding R. To illustrate: If R is:

i O H then R is also:

and R R and R are identical in both R and R.

2. W is a diradical selected from the class consisting 3. R and R are aliphatic having l12 carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic having 3-12 carbon atoms, or aromatic having 6-12 carbon atoms;

4. R is aliphatic or cycloaliphatic, each having 4-10 carbons atoms and the carbon atom joined to the peroxy oxygen atom is a tertiary carbon atom;

5. R, is aliphatic having 1l0 carbon atoms or cycloaliphatic having 31-12 carbon atoms;

.6. R is lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl, alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, aralkoxy, or aryloxy',

7. R is H or lower alkyl;

8. Y is the diradical O, S, or NR 9. R is an aliphatic diradical having 1-10 carbon atoms or a cycloaliphatic diradical having 312 carbon atoms;

10. R is an aliphatic diradical having l-lO carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic diradical having 3-12 carbon 3 atoms, or aromatic diradical having 6-12 carbon atoms;

1 l. R; and R are selected from the class consisting of H, alkyl of l-lO carbons and cycloalkyl of 3-12 carbons and when R is H, R can also be aryl of 6-12 carbons and R and R, can together form an alkylene biradical of 2-11 carbons, and

12. R is a diradical selected from the class consisting of:

viii.

Ethylene Bis[ l,3-dimethyl-3(t-butylperoxy)butyl carbonate].

Di[ 1,3-dimethy1-3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl]ethyl phosphate.

2,2-Bis[ 3,3di-(t-butylperoxy)butoxy]propane. N ,N-m-phenylene bis[O-[ 1,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy )butyl carbonate carbamate DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND EXAMPLES The aliphatic radical includes substitution by aryl radicals araliphatic radicals and cycloaliphatic radicals. The cycloaliphatic radical includes substitution by aliphatic and by aryl radicals. The aromatic and aryl radicals may be substituted by aliphatic and by cycloaliphatic radicals. Both cycloaliphatic, aromatic and aryl radicals may be single ring, such as phenyl and cyclohexyl, or connected rings, such as biphenyl, binaphthyl, bicyclopropyl, bicyclopentyl, or fused rings such as naphthyl, decahydronaphthyl. It is to be understood that the substituents should not interfere with the desired coupling reaction. In general halogen, ester, ether, thioether, and carbonate substituents or groups containing these do not interfere. Desirably R R R R R R and R contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Commonly R is alkyl or alkoxy having 1-6 carbon atoms; cycloalkyl or cycloalkoxy having a total of 3-12 carbon atoms; aralkyl or aralkoxy having 7-12 carbon atoms; aryl or aryloxy having 6-12 carbon atoms.

Commonly, R is H or alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms.

Commonly R 'and R are each H or alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms or one can be aryl while the other is H or R and R together can form an alkylene biradical.

CH T s The described coupled peroxy compounds are effective crosslinking agents for polymeric materials which are capable of being crosslinked to form a thermoset material.

Illustrative class of polymeric materials where these new peroxy compounds are effective include: homopolymers, such as poly( vinyl chloride) and polyolefins (e.g. polyethylene and polybutenes); elastomers, such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber (e.g. butyl rubber, GR-S rubbers, neoprene, acrylic rubber, Buna rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, silicone rubbers, and miscellaneous elastomeric material such as polybutenestyrene copolymers and urethane rubber), copolymers such as poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) and condensation polymers such as polyamides, polyesters (both saturated and unsaturated) and polycarbonates. The polymer may contain a plasticizer and/or oiLextenders and- /or fillers such as carbon black, silica and calcium carbonate. Also they are effective in curing (crosslinking) mixtures of vinyl monomers and unsaturated polyesters.

Also they are effective for the polymerization, to form solid polymers, of unsaturated monomers capable of polymerization by a free radical mechanism. For example, vinyl monomers such as vinyl halides; vinylidene halides; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate and vinyl stearate; the vinyl toluene; the acrylics such as acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate. Other monomers are: The styrene-butadiene blends for rubber copolymers; styreneacrylonitrile blends for copolymers; fluoroethylenes and chloro-fluoroethylenes; butadiene; isoprene and similar polymerizable dienes.

UTILITY AND DISCUSSION These novel coupled peroxycompounds can be utilized in the following ways:

1. They can crosslink polyethylene, polyethylenepolypropylene rubber, polyolefin elastomers, urethane rubbers, silicon rubber etc. (Example XIII, Tables 1, 11, 111 and IV) 2. They can polymerize monomers containing polymerizable ethylenic grouping. (Example XIV) 3. They can cure resins curable by free radical producing agents. (Example XV) 4. The can be used as free radical sources and/or catalysts in organic syntheses and applications where free radicals are required.

Some of the desirable properties that a peroxide has to have to be useful for crosslinking polyethylene are: low volatility, high thermal stability, and good efficiency with respect to its active oxygen content.

The volatility and the thermal stability are necessary requisites, since the peroxide has to tolerate the high temperatures of the milling operation, which is a necessary step to incorporate the peroxide with the polymer before the crosslinking process. If the peroxide is too volatile (as in the case of di-t-butyl peroxide) there would not be any peroxide left for the crosslinking process at the end of the milling step. If the peroxide is not volatile, but its thermal stability is low, a premature decomposition of the peroxide will take place during the milling step, which results in a premature crosslinking of the polymer. If this happens, the polymer cannot be shaped or formed any further since the thermoplastic polymer has become thermoset too soon.

Efficiency is another property that a good crosslinking peroxide has to have in order to make the crosslinking process economical and effective.

Another advantage of the difunctional peroxides obtained by the coupling reaction is that they utilize their active oxygen content to the full extent. Some of the known commercial difunctional peroxides like 2,5- dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)-hexyne-3 are not as efficient in utilizing their active oxygen content as the difunctional peroxide of our invention (see Table I). This is an unexpected result.

We have demonstrated that hydroxy containing peroxides, such as 2-methyl-2-(t-butylperoxy)-4-pentanol, do not have all the desirable properties of a good crosslinking agent. Its volatility is low and its thermal stability is good, but its efficiency is poor. (see Table I) By coupling this hydroxy containing peroxide, using the process described in Examples I, II, and III, we found the coupled product to be an exceptionally good crosslinking agent possessing all the desirable properties. (see Table I) [The half-life of the coupled products (egg. from Examples I, II, III, and V) is almost double that of the hydroxy containing peroxide precursors. This, to say the least, is unexpected] (see Example XVI) [Another advantage of the coupling reaction is the simplicity of preparing pure difunctional peroxides without going through tedious purification steps that are necessary when they are prepared peroxidizing difunctional intermediates] The coupling reaction is not the only expedient one can use to improve volatility of the hydroxy containing peroxides. One can acylate the hydroxy] group with a sufficiently high molecular weight acylating agent and the volatility will be reduced. Using too low of a molecular weight acylating agent will not lower volatility sufficiently unless the starting hydroxy-containing peroxide is already of substantial molecular weight.

The disadvantage of this approach is that an increase in the molecular weight of the peroxide is attained at a sacrifice of active oxygen content.

Peroxides are sold by the pound and used according to the active oxygen content. So, if one had to buy a high molecular weight product with small active oxygen content, larger amounts of the product would have to be used to obtain the desired results in that particular application.

The coupled compounds of our invention minimize this disadvantage, since they gave the desirable properties without excessively increasing the molecular weight.

Thus, the coupling reactions of hydroxy-containing peroxides RH, afford novel peroxides, R-W-R', that are unexpectedly more stable than R-I-I; more efficient than R-H and other commercial diperoxides; and at the same time are less volatile than R-H and simple derivatives of R-H.

PREPARATION The hydroxy-containing peroxide precursors, RH, can be prepared by peroxidation of intermediates containing hydroxy] groups, either primary or secondary, or by hydrolysis or reduction of ester-containing peroxides.

The novel peroxides, R WR', of this invention may be prepared by reacting the hydroxy-containing peroxides, R-H, with hydroxy coupling agents such as phosgene, diacid chlorides, bischloroformates, diisocyanates, dichlorophosphonates, aldehydes, and ketals.

The novel peroxides of this invention may be prepared by one or more of the following methods. Method I (The One Step Process) Two moles of the hydroxy-containing peroxide are reacted with one mole of the desired hydroxy-coupling agent to obtain RWR. Illustrative reactions are:

Method II (The Two Step Process) One mole of the hydroxy-containing peroxide is first reacted with one mole of=hydroxy coupling agent to attain an intermediate product.

The preparation of certain of these intermediate 5 products is disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 727,323 filed May 7, 1968 (now US. Pat. No. 3,671,651).

This intermediate product can subsequently be reacted with another mole of the hydroxy-containing peroxide in a second step to form RWR. Illustrative In other illustrative reactions when the intermediate product is a chloroformate-, or acid chloride-, or isocyanate-, or chlorophosphonate-containing peroxide, the intermediate can be reacted with other difunctional compounds such as diamines, diols, and dimercaptans in the second step to form RWR:

When the intermediate product is a chloroformatecontaining peroxide, it can also be converted directly to RWR in the second step, e.g.

o H 1) tert-amine (g) 2R C1- RCR Co. .+HC1

The reaction conditions depend upon the characteristics of the reactants and peroxy products. In general the intermixing of the coupling agent and the peroxy compound is carried out from about lOC. to +25C., and then the reaction temperature may be increased to a maximum of not more than 100C., to allow the reaction to go to completion. Preferably the maximum reaction temperature should be not more than about 60C.

The reactions may take place in the presence or absence of an inert diluent or solvent. In certain cases. where one or more of the reactants are solids, such a diluent is necessary to provide intimate contact of the reactants; in other cases the diluent provides an additional safety factor, as some pure products are hazardous.

In certain cases the presence of a base may be necessary i.e. Method I (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) or Method II and Any compound, inorganic or organic in nature, which functions as an acid acceptor (base) for the acid by-product of the reaction can be used.

Illustrative of organic bases are: pyridine, and substituted pyridines; lower alkyl tertiary amines such as trimethyl amine, and triethylamine; dimethyl aniline; and N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone.

Illustrative inorganic bases which can be used are the basic salts of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals such as sodium, and potassium carbonates, and sodium and potassium hydroxide.

The above methods of preparation of the novel peroxides, RWR, are further illustrated in Examples I to XII.

EXAMPLE I cu, H; H 3 H.

To a mixture of 22.6 g. (0.1 mole) of 2-methyl-2-(tbutylperoxy)-4-pentanol (84%) and 15.8 g. (0.2 mole) of pyridine in 50 ml. of hexane cooled to 5: 1C. was added a solution of 5 g. (0.05 mole) of phosgene in 50 ml. of hexane.

The addition was made at such a rate that the reaction temperature could be controlled at 5: 1C. After the addition was completed, the reaction temperature was allowed to rise to 2325C., and then raised to 50: 1C. by means of external heating. The reaction mixture was allowed to react for 48 hours at this temperature.

The reaction mixture was filtered from the pyridine hydrochloride and the organic phase washed with 10% tartaric acid solution and water to neutrality.

The organic phase was then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. A slightly colored liquid was obtained, 20.1 g., theoretical 20.3 g. The infrared spectrum (I.R.) of this material showed presence of trace amounts of unreacted 2-methyl-2-(t-butylperoxy)-4- pentanol.

The unreacted material was distilled under reduced pressure at 3435C. and 0.05 mm. of Hg. The IR. of the residue was free of OH and contained the characteristic bands of the desired product.

EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of [A] To a solution of 27.2 g. (0.1 mole) of 1,3-dimethyl-3- (t-butylperoxy)butyl chloroformate (93.5%) (prepared from 2-methyl-2-(t-butylperoxy)-4-pentanol and phosgene) in ml. of diethyl ether, cooled at 15: 1C. was added a solution of 7.9 g. (0.1 mole) of pyridine in 25 ml. diethyl ether. The pyridine chloroformate complex separated at first and then dissolved, giving a pink colored solution. While the reaction temperature was controlled 15: 1C.. a solution of 22.6 g. (0.1 mole) of 2-methyl-2-(t-butylpero xy )-4-pentanol (84%) in 50 ml. of diethyl ether was added dropwise.

After .the addition was completed, the mixture was allowed to reflux for twenty-four hours at 36: 1C. At the end of this period the reaction mixture was filtered 9 10 from the pyridine hydrochloride and washed with 10% solution of tartaric acid and water to neutrality. The H E AM ether solution was dried over anhydrous MgSO fil- "Prepar'ation'o'f tered and the solvent evaporated under reduced pres- Di[2-(t-butylperoxycarbonyl)ethyllcarbonate CH1; O O CH 11 u n 1 [B] C1-1;; -o 0- CH- ,CH ,OCOCH:CH2-COO -CH3 a I I I i i i i r;

sure and then under vacuum at 0.1 mm. of Hg and a To a mixture of 17.4 g. (0.1 mole) of t-butyl 3- bath temperature of 60 to 70C. A liquid was obtained hydroxyperoxypropionate (93%) and 7.9 g. (0.1 mole) (40 g.); theoretical yield 40.6 g. of pyridine in diethyl ether cooled .at 5: 1C. was The [.R. of this liquid was free of 01-1 and CC] bands added a solution of 30.5 g. (0.1 mole) of 2-(t-butyland contained the characteristic bands of the desired peroxycarbonyl)ethyl chloroformate (75%) in 50 ml.

product. of diethyl ether.

After the addition was completed the reaction mix- EXAMPLE ture was allowed to stir for one hour at 30i 1C At the Preparation of [A] 2 end of this period the reaction mixture was filtered off To a Solution of 292 g (0.1 mole) of 1 3 dimethyl 3 from the pyridine hydrochloride and the ether solution (t-butylperoxy)butyl chloroformate (86.5%) in diethyl was washe.d wlth 10% Solutlo. tartanc geld and water ether at 0 was added a Solution of 79 (O1 to neutrality. The ether solution was timed over anhymole) of pyridine in 10 ml. of diethyl, ether. To this drous MgSQ" filtered and the .evaporated mixture was added drOPwise 0.6 g. of H2031 such a 25 E reduced pressure" A 09101-1688 ilquld was Obrate that the evolution of CO could be controlled to a tamed The of th1.s matenal Showed the reasonable rate. The reaction temperature rose to charactensnc bands or h deslred product about C. The reaction mixture was allowed to react EXAMPLE V] at room temperature (23C.) until the CO evolotion ceased (24 hours). The reaction mixture was diluted 30 with H 0 and the organic phase was separated, washed Preparation of 1 7 Di[ 1 ,3-dimethy1-3-( n-butoxycarbonylper'oxyl butyl] with 10% solution of tartaric acid and H 0 to neutral- Carbonate ity.

The ether solution was dried over anhydrous MgSO T fi CH3 CH3 filtered and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure and then under vacuum at 0.1 mm. of Hg. and a I bath temperature of 6070C. A liquid was obtained 0 H O 16.2 g.; theoretical yield 20.3 g. C=O =0 The IR. of this material was free of OH and CCl i bands and contained the characteristic bands of the de- 40 C4H9 sired product.

EXAMPLE IV To a mixture of 26.0 g. (0.1 mole) of 0,0 (1,1-

dimethyl-3-hydroxybutyl) O-butyl monoperoxycarbonate (90%) and 7.9 g. (0.1 mole) of pyridine in ml. of diethyl ether, cooled at 10F: 1C. was added a solution Preparation of Di[4,4-di(t-buty1peroxy)pentyl]carbonate To a mixture of 8.0 g. (0.0295 mole) of 4,4-di(tbutylperoxy)-5-pentanol (97.3%), 2.4 g. (0.0295 of 31.4 g. (0.1 mole) of 1,3-dimethy1-3-(n-butoxycarmole) of pyridine in 50 ml. diethyl ether cooled at 5i bonylperoxy) butyl chloroformate in 50 ml. of diethyl 1C. was added a solution of 1.45 g. (0.0147 mole) of ether, at such a rate that the reaction could be conphosgene in 25 ml. of diethyl ether. After the addition trolled at 10i 1C. was completed, the reaction mixture was allowed to stir After the addition was completed, the reaction temfor six hours at 23i 1C. After this time, the pyridine perature was allowed to rise to 23 C. and allowed hydrochloride was filtered off and the ether solution to stir for 1 hour. At theend of this time,the reaction was washed with 10% solution of tartaric acid and mixture was diluted with water and the organic phase water to neutrality. The ether phase was dried over anseparated and washed with 10% solution of tartaric hydrous MgSO filtered and the solvent evaporated acid and water to neutrality. The ether phase was dried under reduced pressure. A liquid was obtained, 8.5 g. over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and the sol- The IR. indicated that the desired product was obvent evaported under reduced pressure and then under tained. vacuum at 30 to 35C. and 0.05 mm. of Hg. A liquid 3,917,745 1 l 12 was obtained, 45.3 g., EXAMPLE] The IR. of this material indicated that the desired X product was prepared. Preparation of Di[ l,3-dimethyl-3-( t-butylperoxy)butyl]ethyl phosphate EXAMPLE VII CH1 "3 h ICH3 (3H3 p a on o Di[ l,3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl] succinate i T -i f 2-i-CH=,

H 2H,. H 0 O C(CH:|):| a).1

O T To a mixture of 22.1 g. (0.1 mole) of 2-methyl- 2-(tcH. cH cH. d o-c cH.-i cH., butylperoxy)-4-pentanol (86%) and 7.9 g. (0.1 mole) CH. -o-

H H of pyridine in 50 ml. of diethyl ether cooled at 5: 1C. 0 0 was added a solution of 8.14 g. (0.05 mole) of ethyl di- CFCHM chlorophosphonate in 10 ml. of diethyl ether.

After the addition was completed the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 25:t 1C. for 24 hours. At the end of this time the reaction mixture was fil- A of mole) of tered from the pyridine hydrochloride and it was Y PQ W 'R (92%) and (O-OI mole) washed with 10% solution of tartaric acid and water to of succmyl chlonde and of diethyl ether was neutrality. The ether solution was dried over anhydrous fluxed for 48 hours- MgSo filtered and the solvent evaporated under re- Evolution of hydrochloric acid could be detected as duced pressure; A li id was bt i d (13 g,). The IR. the mixture was refluxing. At the end of 48 hours no 25 indicated that the i d product w prepared. more HCl could be detected.

The mixture was stripped under reduced pressure. A EXAMPLE X slightly yellow colored liquid was obtained weighing preparation f 1 4.4 g.; theoretical yield 4.42 g. bis[ l,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl carbamate] The IR. of this material was free of OH and CCl bands and contained the characteristic bands of the de- 0 H sired product. a J

NHCO(iICH- OOC(CH=;).1 H :1

. EXAMPLE Vlll I ii Preparation of Ethylene 0 CH- OOC(CH;;):; Bis[ l,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)- butyl carbonate] H H3 CH3 CH3 W 0 CH3 CH3 cH,, c-cH. OC0CH2CH20CO CH2 -CH1 H H o o o l).l

T0 8 miXtllfe 0f gmole) of LB- ime hyI- A mixture of 4.2 g. (0.02 mole) of l,3-dimethyl-3-(t- -(tutylp y) y chlofoformate and butylperoxy)butanol (91%) and 1.6 g. (0.01 mole) of ge) of ethylene glycol in 26 ml. of acetone m-phenylenediisocyanate and few crystals of triethyland 25 of diethyl ether at 200: was added a 50 ene diamine and 40 ml. of hexane was placed into a dry lution of 7.9 g. (0.1 mole) of pyridine in 10 ml. of diflask, equipped with magnetic stirrer, thermometer, ethyl ether. The mixture was allowed to react for 24 condenser and drying tube.

hours at 25i C. At the end of this period the reaction The mixture was allowed to stir for four hours at mixture was filtered off from the pyridine hydrochloto C. At. the end of this time the reaction mixture ride and the organic phase washed with ml. 10% 55 ontained an insoluble organic material.

solution of tartaric acid and water to neutrality. The This material was separated and the trace amount of ether solution was dried over anhydrous MgSO filsolvent stripped under reduced pressure. A viscous liqtered and the Solvent evaported Under reduced pre uid weighing 1.8 g. was obtained. The IR. indicated Sure. that the desired product was obtained.

A yield of 15.2 g. was obtained. The IR. of this mate- 0 rial showed the characteristic bands of the desired EXAMPLE XI compound with little contamination of hydroxyl-con- Preparation of taining material. I 2,2-bis[3,3-di(t-butylperoxy)butoxy]propane CH3 CH3 (CH )=,CO0l-CH CH O7COCH CH oo(. (CH.,).1

('3 o -(CHzrln 2l 1l EXAMPLE XII Preparation of Bis(2[ 1,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)butoxycarboxamido]ethyl) fumarate A mixture of 4.2 g. (0.02 mole) of 1,3-dimethyl-3-(t- 3O butylperoxy)-4-pentanol and 2.5 g. (0.01 mole) of bis(2-isocyanoethyl) fumarate and 100 ml. of hexane A viscous liquid weighing 5.2 g. was obtained. The IR. indicated that the desired product was obtained.

EXAMPLE XIII Crosslinkable Compositions A mixture of the desired polymeric material and 0.01 mole of the difunctional coupled compound is blended together on a standard roll mill, such as used in the rubber industry. The mixture is removed from the roll mill and a portion is placed in a press mold and heat cured at a determined temperature for a period of 20 minutes.

The slabs are permitted to cool down and mature at room temperature for 24 hours. The mature slabs were then cut into dumbell shaped samples and tested for tensile strength on an Instron Tensile Tester, following ASTM procedure as described in D4l2-61T Tension Testing of Vulcanized Rubber or the crosslinking in the case of polyethlene is determined by the solvent extraction procedure. In addition to the polymer-peroxide mixture, the Crosslinkable mixture, may contain coagents such as sulfur, promoters, fillers, and reinforcing materials. Desirable fillers are carbon black, titanium dioxide, calcium silicate and alkaline earth metal carbonates.

In Table I the crosslinking ability of the coupled compounds of our invention in polyethylene are compared to a hydroxy-containing peroxide and to difunctional peroxides. Tables 11, III, and IV show the versatility of the product of our invention in urethane rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber and silicone rubber.

Table I CROSSLINKING OF POLYETHYLENE The polyethylene used for this test was a low density polyethylene called Bakelite DYNI-I-l, having the following physical properties:

Melt index (ASTM Test D-1238) 190C. 2.0g./10 min.

Density (ASTM Test D-l505) 0.919

The crosslinking test was carried out at 340 and 375F. for minutes.

( l The percentage crosslinking was detennined by extraction of the crosslinked sample with refluxing xylene.

In all cases the polyethylene charge was 100% extractable before crosslinking. (2) Based on number of active oxygens per mole.

was placed into a dry flask equipped with magnetic stirrer, thermometer, condenser and drying tube.

The mixture was allowed to stir for 8 hours at to From the table it is obvious that the coupled compounds of our invention are more efficient than the hydroxy containing peroxide that they were derived from.

C. At the end of this period the reaction mixture This test also shows that the coupled compounds are contained an insoluble organic material.

This material was separated and the trace amounts of solvent stripped under reduced pressure.

significantly more efficient at equal molar equivalents than other difunctional peroxides that are commercially used to crosslink polyethylene.

VULCANlZATlON OF URETHANE RUBBER FORMULATION Genthane-S (I 100 parts H.A.F. Carbon Black (2) parts Stearic acid 0.2 parts The cure was carried out with 0.010 mole equivalent of peroxide at 340F. for minutes.

(psi) (Psi) (psi) Peroxides 300% Modulus Ult. Tensile Elongation Di[ l.3-dimethyl-3(t-butylperoxy )butyl] 2091 4512 493 carbonate (Examples 1, II. and Ill) Di[ l.3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl] 1472 4167 575 succinate (Example Vll) Ethylene bisl I.3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy) 2419 3502 375 butyl carbonate] (Example Vlll) I Genthane-S is a designation given to one of the polyurethane elastomers developed by The General Tire 8: Rubber Company. having the following properties:

Mooney Viscosity (ML4' 212F.) 50: 10 Specific Gravity 1.19

(2) H.A.F. Carbon Black is a high abrasion fumace black. The urethane rubber charge without peroxide has 0 to 100 psi 300% modulus.

I Table III VULCANIZATION OF ETHYLENE-PROPYLENE RUBBER FORMULATION EPR-404 l 100 parts S.R.F. Carbon Black (2) 60 parts Sulfur 0.33 parts Peroxide 0.010 mole equivalent Cure Time 30 minutes Cure Temperature 340F.

(P (P (p Peroxides 300% Modulus Ult. Tensile 7c Elongation Dil l.3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl] 1004 i 21 18 567 carbonate (Examples 1, ll. and [1]) Di[ l.3-dimethyl-3-(t buty1peroxy)butyl] 715 096 710 succinate (Example Vll) Ethylene bisl 1,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy) 1089 2232 552 butyl carbonate] (Example VllI) l E.P.R.-404 is an ethylene-propylene copolymer elastomeric material manufactured by Enjay. having specific gravity g/cc 0.86 Mooney Viscosity at 212F. (8 minutes) 40 (2) S.R.F. Carbon Black is a semi-reinforcing fiimace carbon black manufactured by Cabot Corporation. Without peroxide ethylene-prop \lene rubber copolymer has a 3007: Modulus of 0 to 100 psi.

peroxy)butyl] carbonate (Examples. 1, II, 84 Ill) (1) Silicone Rubber-404 is a general purpose reinforced silicone gum manufactured by General Electric.

The silicone rubber charge without peroxide has a 300% modulus of 0 psi.

EXAMPLE XIV This example illustrates the use of coupled peroxides of present disclosures as initiators of vinyl monomer polyermization. Compound [B] (from Example V) at a concentration of 5 X 10 moles per deciliter of styrene. polymerized styrene at 100C.'at a rate of 6.20 X 10 moles per liter per minute. When no initiator is present, the thermal polymerization of styrene at C. proceeds at a rate of 2.82 X 10 moles per liter per minute. Compound [A] (from Examples 1, II, and III) at a concentration of 5 X 10" moles per diciliter of styrene polymerized styrene 1.65 faster at l 15C. than the thermal polyermization rate when no polymerization initiator is present.

EXAMPLE XV Curing An Unsaturated Polyester-Styrene Resin With Coupled Peroxide An unsaturated polyester resin was made by reacting maleic anhydride (1.0 mole), phthalic anhydride (1.0 mole), and propylene glycol (2.2 mole) until an acid number of 45-50 was obtained. To this was added hydroquinone at a 0.013% concentration. Seven parts of this unsaturated polyester was diluted with 3 parts of monomeric styrene to obtain a homogeneous blend having a viscosity of 13.08 poise and a specific gravity of 1.14. To 20 g. of this blend was added the 0.2 g. of the desired coupled peroxide and the resulting composition placed in a constant temperature bath at C.

The internal temperature was recorded as function of time. The following results were obtained with some of the coupled compounds (Table V): i

Table V S.P.l. EXOTHERM AT 115C. AND 1% CONCENTRATION lN POLYESTER RESIN PREPARED IN EXAMPLE Vlll Gel Time Cure Time Peak ln Barcol Peroxides ln Min. 1n Min. F Hardness Di[ l,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)- 9.5 1 1.1 455 45 butyl] carbonate (Examples 1, I1. and Ill) Ethylene bisl l.3-dimethyl-3-(t-butyl- 10.8 12.8 450 45 peroxy)butyl carbonate] (Example Vlll) Dil 2-(t-butylperoxycarhonyl )ethyl] 7.1 8.5 450 45 carbonate (Example V) Without an initiator. no cure of this resin blend occured after more than 30 minutes at 1 C.

EXAMPLE XVI a. W is selected from C(=O), C(=O)R C- Half-Life Comparisons of Coupled and Uncoupled l-lydroxy-Peroxides (Carried out in Benzene at 0.1 molar concentrations) a Di[ 2-( t-butylpe roxycarbonyl )ethyl] carbonate Example V) As can be seen from the half-life values, the peroxides containing hydroxyl having significantly lower half-lives than the coupled compounds. Thus, the coupled peroxides are more thermally stable and safer to handle, ship, store and use.

Thus having described the invention, what is claimed 1. In the process of crosslinking unsaturated polyester composition using as the crosslinking agent a free radical affording compound, the improvement which comprises using as said agent a peroxide of the formula RWR' where:

c. R and R are aliphatic having l-12 carbon atoms,

cycloaliphatic having 3-12 carbon atoms, or aromatic having 6-12 carbon atoms;

d. R is aliphatic or cycloaliphatic, each having 4-10 carbon atoms and the carbon atom joined to the peroxy oxygen atom is a tertiary carbon atom;

e. R, is aliphatic having l-lO carbon atoms or cycloaliphatic having 3-12 carbon atoms;

f. R is lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl, alkoxy,

cycloalkoxy, aralkoxy. or aryloxy;

g. R,- is H or lower alkyl;

h. Y is the diradical O, S, or NR j. R is an aliphatic diradical having 1-10 carbon atoms or a cycloaliphatic diradical having 3-12 carbon atoms;

k. R is an aliphatic diradical having 1-10 carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic diradical having 3-12 carbon atoms, aromatic diradical having 6-12 carbon atoms, or araliphatic diradical having 7-16 carbon atoms;

m. R and R are selected from H, alkyl of l-lO carbons and cycloalkyl of 3-12 carbons and, when R; is H, R, can also be aryl of 6-12 carbons, and R and R when taken together form alkylene of 2-11 carbons.

2. A process as in claim 1 wherein said peroxide is di(Z-(t-butylperoxycarbonyl)ethyl)carbonate.

3. A process as in claim 2 wherein said polyester is a mixture of an unsaturated maleic anhydride-phthalic anhydride-propylene glycol polyester and styrene. 

1. IN THE PROCESS OF CROSSLINKING UNSATURATED POLYESTER COMPOSITION USING AS THE CROSSLINKING AGENT A FREE RADICAL AFFORDING COMPOUND, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES USING AS SAID AGENT A PEROXIDE OF THE FORMULA R-W-R'' WHERE: A. W IS SELECTED FROM -C(=O)-. -C(=O) C(=O)-, -C(=O)C(=O)-,
 2. A process as in claim 1 wherein said peroxide is di(2-(t-butylperoxycarbonyl)ethyl)carbonate.
 3. A process as in claim 2 wherein said polyester is a mixture of an unsaturated maleic anhydride-phthalic anhydride-propylene glycol polyester and styrene. 